Evaluation of dexmedetomidine and tramadol, associated with midazolam, in cats anesthetized with isoflurane, undergoing ovariohysterectomy

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare cardiorespiratory changes and post-operative analgesia provided by dexmedetomidine or tramadol, associated with midazolam, in female cats. For that purpose, 18 healthy cats were assigned to two randomized groups: GDM, which received dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg) and GTM, which received tramadol (2 mg/kg), both associated with midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) IM. After 15 minutes, anesthesia was induced with propofol (1.46±0.79 mL) and maintained with isofluorane. Ovariohysterectomy was performed and cardiorespiratory variables were registered 15 minutes after pre-anesthetic medication (M0), 15 minutes after anesthetic induction (M15), and every five minutes until the end of the surgical procedure (M20, M25, M30, M35 e M40). Pain evaluation started 30 minutes after the surgery (MP30) and sequentially at thirty-minute intervals (MP60, MP90, MP120). After MP120, each evaluation was registered at every hour (MP180, MP240 e MP360). Dexmedetomidine-midazolam association results in decreases on initial heart rate (HR) without clinical relevance and it is related to pronounced sedation, poor and less durable antinociception and vomiting events, when compared to tramadol-midazolam association. Both protocols indicate cardiorespiratoy stability and safety in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.